Advance Journal of Food Science and Technology 5(3): 348-355, 2013
ISSN: 2042-4868; e-ISSN: 2042-4876
© Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2013
Submitted: October 31, 2012
Accepted: December 22, 2012
Published: March 15, 2013
Effect of Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) on Growth Performance, Body
Composition and Hematological Indicators of Allogynogenetic crucian Carp
(Carassius auratus gibelio)
Xiao-li Li, Gu Li, Shi-yang Zhang and Ling Tao
Key Laboratory of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture,
Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery
Sciences, 8 Wudayuan Road, Wuhan, 430223, China
Abstract: A Ditch Constructed Wetland unit (DCW) was integrated into an outdoor RAS with four fishponds. This
study evaluated the performance of the wetland unit in treating the recirculating wastewater and examined the effect
of Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) on growth performance, body composition and hematological
indicators of the rearing fish. During a 165-days culture period, the DCW effectively reduced the influent
concentrations of nutrients and can keep a good water quality at acceptable concentrations for growth of the fish.
Growth performance, body composition and hematological indicators of Allogynogenetic crucian carp were closely
related to water quality of their living environment. The RAS had improved the growth performance and quality of
Allogynogenetic crucian carp.
Keywords: Allogynogenetic crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio), body composition, growth performance,
hematological indicators, Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)
Chinese government in 2007. However, with the rapid
expansion of aquaculture, China has also faced serious
challenges to achieve the aim in recent years, including
the limitations of finite land and water resources, the
gradual deterioration of aquatic ecosystems, frequent
disease outbreaks and difficulties with sediment and
wastewater treatment (Cao et al., 2007).
A solution to these ecological concerns is rearing
fish in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), i.e.,
land-based aquatic systems in which water is re-used
after mechanical and biological treatment in an attempt
to reduce the needs for water and energy and the
emission of nutrients to the environment. As a kind of
effective wastewater treatment process, constructed
wetlands have been applied in the recirculating
aquaculture. The recirculating marine shrimp and trout
cultivation with constructed wetlands as treatment
facilities were reported (Schulz et al., 2003; Sindilariu
et al., 2008).
Fish is in direct contact with the water environment
through its gills and skin. So the water quality not only
influences the aquatic products but also impacts the fish
quality. As the utilization of RAS is predicted to
increase in the near future, it is imperative to evaluate
the quality of fish originating from the RAS. The
knowledge of fish quality in farmed fish is limited to a
number of studies including comparing between farmed
INTRODUCTION
FAO (2006) predicts that more than an additional
40 million tonnes of aquatic food will be necessary by
2030 to maintain the current per capita consumption.
As a consequence of the over-exploitation and
depletion of the world fish supplies from capture
fisheries, aquaculture has undergone exceptional
growth and is perceived as having the greatest potential
to meet the growing demand for aquatic food.
Aquaculture is now the fastest growing food-producing
sector, accounting for almost 50% of the world’s food
fish (FAO, 2006). China is the world’s largest producer
of aquaculture products, accounting for 67% of the
global production in terms of quantity and 49% of the
global value in 2006 (FAO, 2008). Aquaculture in static
ponds is conventionally and widely adopted in China.
However, such a culture process typically requires a
large amount of water resources and land area and
produces polluted effluent, adversely impacting the
environment. Additionally, the accumulated feed
residue and fish excreta often cause the water quality in
fishponds to deteriorate and further reduce the quantity
and quality of aquaculture products. With the
development of aquaculture and the growing public
demand for healthy aquatic food, the latest aquaculture
aim that named “good and fast” was formulated by
Corresponding Author: Gu Li, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangtze
River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 8 Wudayuan Road, Wuhan,
430223, China, Tel.: 027-81780121
348
Adv. J. Food Sci. Technol., 5(3): 348-355, 2013
and wild caught fish, different ages (Geri et al., 1995),
different baits (Seon-Heui et al., 2008), different
densities(Rosalba et al., 2004) and different transport
systems (Lorenzon et al., 2008). However, information
about the effect of RAS on fish growth performance
and quality remains scarce.
Crucian carp (Carassius auratus) as a kind of
commercial fish because of its rapid growth and
delicious flesh, has been farmed all over China, also
was widely used in ecotoxicology, physiology and
energy metabolism (Li et al., 2003; Ohlhergger et al.,
2006).
The aim of this study is to investigate the
performance of the wetland unit in treating the
recirculating wastewater and examined the effect of
Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) on growth
performance, body composition and hematological
indicators of the fish, in order to compare the
physiological status under different rearing conditions
and to validate the efficacy of RAS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
System construction: The study site was located in the
experimental base of the Research Center for Pond
Ecological Engineering, Chinese Academy of Fishery
Sciences, Jingzhou, Hubei Provinceand China. The
RAS consisted of a Ditch Constructed Wetland unit
(DCW) and 4 series-connected culture ponds.
The DCW as purification unit (i.e., a tank, three
serial subsurface flow wetlands (SSFW 1, SSFW 2 and
SSFW 3) (30 m in length, 3.1 m in width for each) and
a Surface Flow Wetland (SFW) (30 m in length, 2.4 m
in width)) was at the bank of the fish pond (Fig. 1). The
frame of the DCW was built using bricks and mortar,
whereas the bottom was reinforced with concrete as an
impermeable liner fixed to a slope of 0.5%.
Each wetland cell was partitioned into three
subareas along the direction of the flow, an inlet area, a
wetland bed and an outlet area, which were all filled
with different sizes of ceramic pellets to a depth of 0.8
m in SSFW and 0.4 m in SFW. At the inlet, a storing
cistern was constructed with a serrated overflow weir
on one side, which facilitated a horizontal flow of the
water. In the bottom of every DCW near the outlet, a
system of perforated 160 mm (in diameter) PVC pipes
was placed to ensure efficient drainage. A PVC pipe
vertically connected with water collecting pipe at the
outlet of SFW which was used to keep water level at
0.4 m above the stroma.
After impoundment, Thalia dealbata, Arundo
donax, Var. versicolor and Phragmites australis were
planted respectively at SSFWs in order while
Myriophyllum sp., was planted at SFW. All plants
propagated rapidly and soon covered the entire surface
of the DCW within a single growing season. These
perennial aquatic or marsh plants have extended root
Fig. 1: Schematic diagram of integrated ditch wetland-pond
aquaculture ecosystem
systems and large biomass and were easily obtained in
this district.
After the construction and planting, the systems
were allowed to acclimatize for 2 months to let the
plants and microorganisms develop. During this period,
the DCW were loaded with water from the fishpond.
The culture ponds included 4 series-connected
recirculating ponds in the RAS and 2 static control
ponds. Each of the culture ponds had an area of 660 m2
and a mean water depth of approximately 1.5 m, with a
mud bottom. The recirculating ponds, namely, the flowthrough systems, were connected by culvert pipes
across the pond banks fixed to a slope of 50% that
ensured a mixing of the upper stratum water with the
lower one so as to enhance the passive aeration. The
control pond without recirculation corresponded to the
stagnant water conditions that are representative of
traditional static aquaculture ponds.
Test fish: In this study, a polyculture strategy for the
stocking of the fish was adopted. Allogynogenetic
crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and grass carp
(Ctenopharyngodon idella) as the main culture species
mixed with a minor quantity of filter-feeding fish were
raised. Allogynogenetic crucian carp were farmed in
P2, P4, P5 and P6 (group I-IV) while grass carp were
farmed in other ponds. The fry size and stocking
density were respectively 25 g and 1500/667 m2. All fry
were disinfected with 3 g/L salt solution for 10 min
before seeding. The result of trial was only about
Allogynogenetic crucian carp.
Operation and management of the system: Before
stocking the fish, all of the ponds were drained, the silt
was removed and the bottom of the ponds was
disinfected with lime. Water pumped from a nearby
reservoir was then used to fill the culture pond to a
depth of approximately 1.5 m; thereafter, the
replacement of the water lost due to evaporation was
mainly achieved from the groundwater and rainfall.
The fish stocking began on April 9th and the fish
were harvested on November 7th, corresponding to a
rearing period of 212 days. The ponds were harvested
by complete drainage at the end of the rearing period.
During the study, the fish were fed to satiation twice
daily with a commercial diet and the amount fed was
measured to determine the feeding efficiency. The feeds
were Tongwei 103LP commercial floating feed. A
349 Adv. J. Food Sci. Technol., 5(3): 348-355, 2013
Blood chemistry analysis: The T-CHO, TG, HDL-C,
LDL-C, AKP, AST and ALT in the plasma were
determined by using an automatic biochemistry
analyzer (CHEMIX-180, SYSMEX and Japan).
Statistical analysis: All data are presented as
mean±S.D., unless otherwise specified. Data were
subjected to one-way ANOVA and if significant
(p<0.05) differences were found, Duncan’s multiple
range test (Duncan 1955) was used to rank the groups
using the SPSS program Version 15.0 for Windows
(SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA).
RESULTS
Purification efficiencies of the Ditch Constructed
Wetland (DCW) The DCW showed significant
purification efficiencies for organic matter and
nutrients, especial for removal of chlorophyll a (Chl-a)
up to 90%. The purification efficiencies of nitrite (NO2-N), nitrate (NO3--N) content were not significant that
might be related to the low level of the inlet water.
Ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), NO2--N, Total Nitrogen
(TN), Total Phosphorus (TP) and 5-day Biochemical
Oxygen Demand (BOD5) content of final effluent were
respectively 1.24, 0.048, 4.87, 0.24 and 4.16 mg/L, all
satisfied the requirement of Fishery Water Quality
Standard (GB11607-89). The pollutant removal effect
of the Control Wetland (DCW) was as shown in Fig. 2.
Water analysis: The Total Suspended Solids (TSS),
Chemical Oxygen Demand (CODMn), Total Ammonia
Nitrogen (TAN), Nitrite (NO2--N), nitrate (NO3--N), TN
and TP were analyzed following standard procedures
(State EPA of China, 2002). The chlorophyll a (Chl-a)
content was determined spectrophotometrically after
filtration through Whatman GF/C glass filters and 24-h
extraction with 90% acetone.
5
l-a
Ch
D
BO
Mn
D
IP
CO
TP
-N
4
TN
Removal rate (%)
NH
Growth performance analysis: The Feed Conversion
Ratio (FCR) and Specific Growth Rate (SGR) were
calculated according to the following formulae:
FCR = feed intake/weight gain, SGR = 100× [(Ln
terminal BW-Ln initial BW) /test days], BW means
body weight.
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
NO 2 -N
Sample collection and chemical analysis:
Sample collection: Water sampling was conducted
every 2 weeks, from June 3th to November 2th in 2010.
Given the extreme daytime temperatures in the region,
sampling was typically conducted in the early morning,
between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m.
To investigate growth performances, fish (n = 30)
from each pond were randomly collected on a monthly
basis. Fish feeding was stopped 24 h prior to sampling.
Fish sampling was performed using a casting net pulled
up from the bottom to crowd the fish at the surface;
Total and Standard Length (TL and SL) and wet
Weight (W) were immediately recorded for each
specimen.
To measure blood biochemical indicators,
additional fish (n = 10) from each pond, were randomly
sampled at the end of culture period. To avoid
additional stress, fish for blood biochemical indicators
measurement were captured before the fish used for
growth performance determination. After capture, fish
were immediately anaesthetized using a solution of 0.1
g/L MS222 (Ethyl 3-aminobenzoate methanesulfonate
salt, Sigma-Aldrich, Milano, Italy). Careful netting and
handling were implemented to minimize stress. Blood
was withdrawn from the caudal vein by 2.5 mL syringe
in less than 1 min for each fish. Blood samples were
placed into 1.5 mL non-heparinisedeppendorf tube and
after clotting were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min
at 4°C. Serum samples were stored at -20°C and then
determination with 24 h. A standardized handling
procedure was applied in order to minimize the stress
involved in the blood sampling.
Body composition (nutrition constituent) analysis:
All chemical composition analyses of muscle and
tissues were performed following the methods of the
National Standard (GB/T5009-2003). Crude protein
(N×6.25) was determined using the Kjeldahl method
after an acid digestion using an Auto Kjeldahl System
(2100-Auto-analyzer, Tecator, Hoganas, Sweden).
Crude lipid content was determined using the ether
extraction method. Moisture was determined using
Atmospheric pressure constant temperature drying
method. Crude ash was determined using method of
burning of high temperature at 550°C in a muffle
furnace.
+
pump submerged in the pond 4 was used to recycle the
RAS, which operated daily between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00
p.m., resulting in a Hydraulic Loading Rate (HLR) of
730 mm/day. The water exchange rate for each
recirculating pond was maintained at 20-25% per day.
The recirculating system was not in operation during
rainy days.
Index
Fig. 2: Pollutant removal effect of the Ditch Constructed
Wetlands (DCWs)
350 Adv. J. Food Sci. Technol., 5(3): 348-355, 2013
Table 1: The growth performance and feed utilization of Allogynogenetic crucian
System (RAS) and Control Aquaculture System (CAS) (n = 10)
Item
Test group
Control group
Total output (kg)
633.25±2.05
574.85±9.97*
Yield per unit area (kg/ha)
9595±31.11
8710±151.32*
Total net weight (kg)
586.85±2.05
528.45±9.97*
Food consumption (kg)
830±42.43
860±0.00
Feed Conversion Rate (FCR)
1.42±0.06*
1.63±0.03
Specific Growth Rate (SGR, %)
1.06±0.00
1.05±0.01
Survival rate (%)
99.30±0.14
94.40±6.51
*: Significant differences (p<0.05) between different treatment groups by t-test
carp in the culture ponds of the Recirculating Aquaculture
Group I
634.70
9617
588.30
860
1.46
1.06
99.4
Group II
631.80
9573
585.40
800
1.37
1.06
99.20
Group III
567.80
8603
521.40
860
1.65
1.04
89.80
Group IV
581.90
8817
535.50
860
1.61
1.05
99.00
Table 2: The muscle and liver composition and organ/body weight ratio of Allogynogenetic crucian carp in the culture ponds of the Recirculating
Aquaculture System (RAS) and Control Aquaculture System (CAS) (n = 10)
Item
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV
Muscle
Moisture (%)
70.56±0.33a
70.48±6.44a
73.45±0.73b
72.99±2.13b
Crude protein (CP, %, DM)
73.60±2.07b
72.89±1.28b
65.42±3.43a
66.24±0.60a
13.73±2.06b
16.09±1.94b
14.60±1.10b
Crude fat (EE, %, DM)
10.51±1.03a
Crude ash (Ash, %, DM)
4.53±0.49
4.39±0.17
4.25±0.19
4.31±0.23
Liver
Moisture (%)
64.96±1.59
65.07±1.09
68.08±4.40
67.27±1.95
b
b
a
17.12±1.57
13.97±0.80
13.45±0.55a
Crude protein (CP, %, DM)
17.00±1.33
Crude fat (EE, %, DM)
2.87±0.64
2.71±0.67
3.16±1.11
2.81±0.28
Crude ash (Ash, %, DM)
2.38±0.14
2.26±0.09
2.34±0.16
2.57±0.31
a
a
b
12.72±0.68
14.04±1.06
13.86±0.32b
Organ/body weight ratio (%)
12.04±0.91
Organ/body weight ratio (%) = 100×terminal gut weight/terminal BW; Mean values denoted with various letters in the same row for a given body
part are statistically significantly different (p<0.05)
Table 3: The hematological indicators of Allogynogenetic crucian carp in the culture ponds of the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) and
Control Aquaculture System (CAS) (n = 10)
Index
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV
T-CHO (mmol/L)
7.92±0.31a
9.78±0.32c
8.89±0.32b
8.86±0.37b
TG (mmol/L)
4.41±0.29a
5.61±0.76b
5.68±0.33b
5.78±0.19b
HDL-C (mmol/L)
1.37±0.07a
1.55±0.06b
1.59±0.14b
1.56±0.10b
LDL-C (mmol/L)
0.48±0.18
0.67±0.10
0.64±0.06
0.61±0.09
AKP (U/L)
35.33±3.21a
40.00±1.63b
43.00±2.16b
39.25±2.06b
AST (U/L)
381.25±10.90
360.00±5.00
338.50±42.15
338.25±38.53
ALT (U/L)
21.33±2.89
20.50±2.65
23.25±5.62
22.00±3.16
The growth performance and feed utilization of
Allogynogenetic crucian carp: Base the date in
Table 1, at the condition that the feedings for test
groups were less than the controls, the total output,
yield per unit area, net gain were significantly (p<0.05)
higher, while the feed conversion rate was significantly
(p<0.05) lower than those in the controls. The specific
growth rate, survival rate showed a tendency of
increase, but the difference was not significant
(p>0.05).
The muscle and liver composition and organ/body
weight ratio of Allogynogenetic crucian carp: At the
aspect of muscle composition, the moisture content was
significantly (p<0.05) lower and the crude protein
content was significantly (p<0.05) higher than control
group, the crude fat content in group I was significantly
(p<0.05) lower than others, the crude ash did not
change significantly (p>0.05). At the aspect of liver
composition, there were no significant (p>0.05)
differences except that the crude protein content was
significantly (p<0.05) higher than control group. The
organ/body weight ratio was significantly (p<0.05)
higher than control group (Table 2).
Hematological indicators of Allogynogenetic crucian
carp: At the aspect of hematological biochemical
indicators, the general trend was that the test groups
were lower than the control group. The Total plasma
Cholesterol (T-CHO), Triglycerides (TG), High
Density Lipoprotein Cholesterin (HDL-C) in group I
were significantly (p<0.05) lower than control group,
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterin (LDL-C) was
also lower, but no significant (p>0.05) difference.
There were no significant (p>0.05) differences between
group II and control group except that the total
cholesterol was significantly (p<0.05) higher. At the
aspect of hematological biochemical indicators, the
Alkaline
Phosphatase
(AKP),
Aspartate
Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase
(ALT) had no significant (p>0.05) differences between
test group and control group except that AKP in group I
was significantly (p<0.05) lower than control group.
Overall, growth performance, body composition,
hematological indicators of Allogynogenetic crucian
carp are closely related to water quality of their living
environment, the RAS has improvement on growth
performance and quality of Allogynogenetic crucian
carp (Table 3).
351 Adv. J. Food Sci. Technol., 5(3): 348-355, 2013
DISCUSSION
Effect of RAS on growth performance and feed
utilization of Allogynogenetic crucian carp: The fish
growth performance was affected by combined of
heredity, bait and water environment. In the present
study, Allogynogenetic crucian carp fry were the same
group of which the standard and quality were all the
same, while the bait feed in the test group and the
control group both were Tong Wei 103LP commercial
floating feed. Therefore, the only reason which caused
the difference of fish growth performance and
efficiency of feed utilization between the test group and
the control group was water environment. In the factory
breeding production process, the temperature, pH, DO,
TAN and NO2--N content were the main intimidation
factors (Hong and Zhang, 2004). It was reported that
the survival rate, growth performance and the
immunologic function of fish would be affected if the
concentration of TAN and NO2--N were too high
(Huchette et al., 2003; Wang et al., 2007; Xu et al.,
2006). In the present study, the harmful nutrients of
effluent water were remarkable decreased after
treatment by the DCW and water quality of outlet was
better than the inlet. So the total output, net gain of the
test group were significantly (p<0.05) higher while the
feed conversion rate was significantly (p<0.05) lower
than control group. The result was in accordance with
the existing research. The research result about chars
from Pickering (1989) showed environmental
intimidation had an important influence on fish survival
rate. The research result about Paralichthys olivaceus
(Seon-Heui et al., 2008) that the average growth of the
test group increased, accumulation of mortality was
reduced, as compared to those of controls might be
induced from an improved fish tank environment, as
shown by the decreased Chemical Oxygen Demand
(CODMn) and the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) levels
and enhanced non-specificimmune response by
chitosan. All of these were accordance with the study.
Effect of RAS on muscle and liver composition and
organ/body weight ratio of Allogynogenetic crucian
carp: The main nutritional composition of food
contained protein, fat and ash. In nutrition, it is
generally accepted that the higher the content of dry
matter in food, the higher total nutrition composition
content. The result that the moisture content in the test
group was significantly (p<0.05) lower showed trophic
value of fish in test group was higher than that in the
control group. Protein content in food was not only the
indicator evaluating food quality but also related to the
health of human body. As a kind of food, the more of
protein content in fish muscle, the higher nutritional
value (Bing and Zhang, 2006). The result that the crude
protein content in the test group was significantly
(p<0.05) higher also showed trophic value of fish in test
group was higher than that in the control group. In the
present study, the crude protein content in the test group
was significantly (p<0.05) higher and the crude fat
content was significantly (p<0.05) lower, these trends
was accordance with Cenjianwei (Cen et al., 2008;
Liang et al., 2010; Miao et al., 2011; Wu et al., 2007)
research.
The fat and protein of liver were significant
influenced by the feed protein (Gao et al., 2010).
Martin et al. (2003) found 30% of soybean protein in
feed could change the structure of HSPs of the liver,
which indicated that bait induced the physical stress
reactions. In addition, lesion would influence the
physiological function and metabolism and then caused
its liver protein content below the normal. There was
little report about impact of environment on liver
composition. In this study, crude protein content in liver
was significantly (p<0.05) higher than control group
declared that water quality affected the liver
composition, but the mechanism of action need further
study.
Muscle content was an important indicator which
estimated the quality and production performance. It
was affected by breed, environment and bait. In this
work, the organ/body weight ratio was significantly
(p<0.05) lower than control group explain muscle
content of fish in recirculating ponds was significantly
(p<0.05) higher than the control group.
It is report that the muscle composition had close
relationship with the living environment, diet and
growth period (Song et al., 2007). In this trial, juvenile
Allogynogenetic crucian carp were obtained from the
same fish farm, hatched at the same time and fed the
same kind of fodder. Therefore the difference of living
environment in two farming models was the major
factor which caused the difference in tissue proximate
compositions of fish.
Effect of RAS on blood biochemistry and immune
indices of Allogynogenetic crucian carp: Fish blood
hematological indicators not only had closed
relationship with the body metabolism, nutritional
status and disease, but also they were usually used to
evaluate the physiology and ecology status of fish,
monitor the water ecological environment change,
assess ecological stress caused by water environment
change and so on (Ruane et al., 2001; Weil et al., 2001;
Harikrishnan et al., 2003). They would be changing
when the growth and survival of fish were affected by
deteriorating environment (Mugnier et al., 2008). The
change of the blood hematological indicators could be
the reflection of the degree of environment stress
(Paterson et al., 2003; Foss et al., 2007).
The Total Cholesterol (T-CHO) and Triglycerides
(TRIG) were import components of blood lipids. Lipid
level was an important biochemistry indicator reflecting
the carbohydrate metabolism and fat metabolism level
of the organism (Tong, 2007). In the research that the
352 Adv. J. Food Sci. Technol., 5(3): 348-355, 2013
influences of illumination on growth, haematological
and biochemical indices of juvenile Chinese sturgeon
(Acipenser sinensis), Zhang et al. (2010) found there
were significant difference in values of TRIG between
all-dark group and natural light group, so they thought
the change of light caused the difference of fish
metabolism. In this study, the TRIG values were
significant lower than the values of control group and
the result revealed that fish metabolism were different
between two culture models.
Cholesterol mainly synthesized by the liver (Shen
and Wang, 1998) that also was an indicator of ammonia
nitrogen stress to body (Yin et al., 2011). In our study,
the value of total-CHO in test group I was significant
lower and test group II was significant higher than the
value in the control groups, which was in conformity
with the result that the value of ammonia nitrogen in
test group I was lower and test group II was higher than
the value in the control groups.
Wedemeyer and McLeay (1981) research found
that the pressure could lead to high CHO in teleost
fishes. In this study, the value of T-CHO of fish in
group I was significant lower than controls while the
value in group II was significant higher than controls.
The result suggested that the stress caused by water
quality was little in group I while environmental stress
to fish from water quality deterioration in the last pond
of the recirculating agriculture system increased.
In recent years, there were many efforts to reduce
the CHO of fish based on the study of feed formulation
and density (Seon-Heui et al., 2008; Di Marco et al.,
2008), but no study about impact of culture model on
the CHO of fish had been reported. In this study, the
value of T-CHO and LDL-C in fish in recirculating
ponds were all lower than the value in control ponds,
the result could provide important reference to the
Carassius auratus gibelio culture model.
AKP was an important kind of enzyme to regulate
and control the animal metabolism which had great
significance to animal survival (Miao et al., 2011). In
our study, the value of AKP in fish in test group I was
significant lower than the value in the control group.
The result explained the fish in test group I suffer
smaller irritate (Hong and Zhang, 2004) and within
which condition fish was more relaxed and could grow
faster.
As referent of liver function, AST and ALT were
usually used to monitor fish health condition (Jyothi
and Naran, 1997). ALT also could be used as an index
enzyme in aquatic ecological toxicology because it
could reflect the impact of water pollution on fish
health (Hong and Zhang, 2004). In this study, there
were no significant difference in the value of ALT and
AST between the test and the control groups, the result
showed fish were health and fish liver were normal and
that the differences in water quality between two
agricultural modes had no marked impact. In Vedel
et al. (1998) study found that the value of AST and
ALT in Oncorhynchus mykiss had no significant change
after nitrate nitrogen treatment, which result also
appeared in our study.
CONCLUSION
In order to study the effects of RAS on
Allogynogenetic crucian carp (Carassius auratus
gibelio), a Ditch Constructed Wetland unit (DCW),
consisting of Subsurface Flow (SSF) and Subface Flow
(SF) constructed wetlands arranged in series, was
integrated into an outdoor RAS with four fishponds.
Two fishponds (Iand II) in the RAS were compared
with the other two traditional static fishponds (III and
IV) as the Control Aquaculture System (CAS).
This study evaluated the performance of the
wetland unit in treating the recirculating wastewater
and examined the effect of Recirculating Aquaculture
System (RAS) on growth performance, body
composition and hematological indicators of the rearing
fish. During an 165-days culture period, the DCW
operated at a mean quantity of circulating water of 240
m3/day and a mean hydraulic loading rate of 730
mm/day and effectively reduced the influent
concentrations of 5-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (CODMn),
Suspended Solids (SS), chlorophyll a (chl-a), Total
Ammonium (TAN), Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total
Phosphorus (TP). The DCW can keep a good water
quality with NH4+-N (1.24 mg/L), NO2--N (0.048
mg/L), TN (4.87 mg/L), TP (0.24 mg/L) and BOD5
(4.16 mg/L) at acceptable concentrations for growth of
the fish. Results of the study showed that the total
output, yield per unit area and net gain were
significantly (p<0.05) higher, while the feed conversion
rate was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control
groups. The specific growth rate and survival rate
showed a tendency of increase, but the difference was
not significant (p>0.05). At the aspect of muscle
composition, the moisture content of fish in the test
groups were significantly (p<0.05) lower and the crude
protein content was significantly (p<0.05) higher than
the value in the control groups; the crude fat content in
group I were significantly (p<0.05) lower than the
others, the crude ash content did not significantly
(p>0.05) change. At the aspect of liver composition,
there were no significant (p>0.05) differences except
that the crude protein content were significantly
(p<0.05) higher than the value in the control groups.
The organ/body weight ratio was significantly (p<0.05)
lower than the value in the control groups. At the aspect
of hematological biochemical indicators, the values of
the total plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and H-CHL
of fish in group I were significantly (p<0.05) lower than
those in the control groups, the value of L-CHL was
also lower, but no significant (p>0.05) difference
353 Adv. J. Food Sci. Technol., 5(3): 348-355, 2013
observed. There were no significant (p>0.05)
differences between the group II and the control groups
except that the value of the total cholesterol was
significantly (p<0.05) higher. At the aspect of
hematological biochemical indicators, the values of
AKP, AST and ALT had no significant (p>0.05)
differences between the test and the control groups
except that the value of AKP of fish in group I was
significantly (p<0.05) lower than that in the control
groups.
Overall, growth performance, body composition
and hematological indicators of Allogynogenetic
crucian carp were closely related to water quality of
their living environment. The RAS had improved the
growth performance and quality of Allogynogenetic
crucian carp.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This study was supported by the National Key
Technology Support Program of the Ministry of
Science and Technology of China (Grant No.
2012BAD25B05), the earmarked fund for China
Agriculture Research System (CARS-46).
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